Gender communication is a specialized field of study that focuses on the ways we, as gendered beings, communicate.

Gender communication is a specialized field of study that focuses on the ways we, as gendered beings, communicate. Research on adults’ listening styles by Sargent and Weaver (2003) and others suggests that women use their listening skills to learn about people and to make connections with others, while men listen more for information and to solve intellectual challenges. The findings do not mean women do not engage in content-oriented listening and that men do not engage in people-oriented listening. Men and women clearly engage in both types of listening. However, Sargent and Weaver and other researchers say findings like these indicate that people who identify as women and men generally do, indeed, have different approaches to listening. 

Activity:

How might you apply this information about gender differences in listening styles to your communication in a teaching workplace*?